3D CELL CULTURE MARKET ANALYSIS

The Global 3d Cell Culture Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 4.89 Billion in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 23.4% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

Analysts’ Views on the Global 3D Cell Culture Market:

3D cell culture refers to the cultivation of cells in an environment that more closely mimics the natural three-dimensional structure and conditions of tissues and organs in the human body. Traditional cell culture techniques involve growing cells on flat, two-dimensional surfaces like petri dishes, which can lead to a disconnect between the in vitro (lab) and in vivo (living organism) environments. The growth of the market can be credited to the increasing endeavors to create viable substitutes for animal-based testing and the presence of funding initiatives supporting research endeavors. Furthermore, ongoing dedicated research and development initiatives by biopharmaceutical firms focused on drug innovation and exploration, along with a strong emphasis on integrating 3D cell cultures into cancer research, are additional factors expected to drive the growth of the market in the foreseeable future.

Figure 1. Global 3D Cell Culture Market Share (%), By Technology, 2023

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Global 3D Cell Culture Market - Drivers

• Increasing product launches by key companies: Market players are continually introducing new and innovative 3D cell culture products, including specialized scaffolds, culture plates, bioreactors, and microfluidic devices. These offerings cater to the diverse research needs of scientists studying different tissues, diseases, and applications. For instance, on June 26, 2023, 3DBioFibR, a prominent pioneer in the field of tissue engineering, announced its plan to launch a pair of fresh collagen fiber offerings: μCollaFibR and the CollaFibR 3D scaffold. These products are crafted using 3DBioFibR's exclusive and innovative dry-spinning technology, designed to produce collagen fibers on a commercial scale. Additionally, on February 21, 2023, TheWell Bioscience, a leading player in the field of 3D cell culture platforms, introduced an innovatively designed cell harvesting solution. Known as the VitroGel Organoid Recovery Solution, it stands as a pioneering achievement - the first solution capable of successfully recovering organoids from both animal-derived extracellular matrices (ECM) and synthetic VitroGel hydrogels.
• Increasing R&D activities in 3D cell culture: The increasing R&D activities in 3D cell culture is expected to aid in growth of the global 3D cell culture market, over the forecast period. For instance, in August 2020, researchers at Okayama University created a new 3D cell culture model of pancreatic cancer that closely mimics the 'fibrotic' tissue characteristically observed in patients. Moreover, on March 31 2023, ZEISS, a Germany-based manufacturer of optical systems and optoelectronics, invested in the life science start-up, InSphero to enhance the use of 3D microtissues in research and medication development. The latest fundraising round for InSphero AG, a leader in 3D spheroid and cell-based assays for pharmaceutical drug discovery and safety assessment, saw the company raise an eight-figure sum.
• Rising prevalence of cancer and infectious diseases: The rising incidence of cancer and infectious diseases has significantly contributed to the growth of the 3D cell culture market. For instance, according to report by WHO in September 2022, Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. Each year, 17 million people die from a NCD before age 70; 86% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes). 3D cell culture is an innovative technique that allows cells to grow and interact in an environment that closely resembles the in vivo conditions of tissues and organs. This technology offers several advantages over traditional 2D cell culture, particularly when studying complex diseases like cancer and infectious diseases.

Figure 2. Global 3D Cell Culture Market Share (%), By Region, 2023

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Global 3D Cell Culture Market - Regional Analysis

Among regions, North America is estimated to hold a dominant position in the global 3D cell culture market over the forecast period. The existence of advanced healthcare infrastructure, developed economies, the presence of important players, and different strategic efforts carried out by them jointly drive the industry. The regional market is also expected to be supported by a favorable regulatory environment, funding from government and private bodies for the development of three-dimensional culture models, and a sizable number of research institutions and universities looking into various stem-cell-based methods. Moreover, increasing business and facility expansion is also driving the market. For instance, on July 12, 2023, MilliporeSigma, the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt Germany, announced the investment of US$ 25 million for the addition of 98,000 square feet of lab space and the ability to produce cell culture media at its facility in Lenexa, Kansas, U.S.

Global 3D Cell Culture Market - Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3D cell culture sector faced increased difficulties in balancing supply and demand for 3D cell culture components. Additionally, it is anticipated that the availability of human resources and irregular and disrupted supply chain operations will have an effect on market expansion. On the other hand, the leading market players are benefiting greatly from the spike in research activities for creating novel COVID-19 medicines.

With a heightened need for effective antiviral drugs and vaccines, the pharmaceutical industry turned to advanced cell culture models like 3D cultures to accelerate drug discovery and development processes. Research on stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine has produced encouraging findings for treating COVID-19; as a result, it is anticipated that these treatments will offset the negative effects of lockdowns around the world. Therefore, it is projected that the overall COVID-19 impact will be moderate for the key players in the 3D cell culture market share.

Global 3D Cell Culture Market Segmentation:

The global 3D cell culture market report is segmented into technology, application, end user, and region.

• By technology, the market is segmented into extracellular matrices or scaffolds, bioreactors, gels, scaffold-free platforms, and microchips. Extracellular matrices or scaffolds is projected to dominate the market. Growth in this market is predicted to be fueled by elements including the use of scaffold-based cultures in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications, improvements in scaffold materials and fabrication methods, and rising research funding and collaboration. Growth in the market is anticipated to be fueled by recent product introductions, ongoing research, and technological advances. Dolomite Bio, a biotechnology company introduced brand-new hydrogel-focused reagent kits in July 2022 for high-throughput cell encapsulation in hydrogel scaffolds. The development of scaffold-based technologies is being continuously researched, which is another element promoting market growth.
• By application, the market is segmented into research, drug discovery, tissue engineering, clinical applications, and stem cell biology. The drug discovery segment is estimated to exhibit higher CAGR in the global 3D cell culture market over the forecast period.  Ongoing research in the development of different types of 3D cell culture to assist drug development is expected to foster growth of this segment. For instance, in September 2021, UPM Biomedicals, a leading manufacturer and supplier of wood-based biomedical products, announced that it has reached a deal with PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc., an industry leader in the field of life sciences, to serve as a distributor of the company's GrowDex and GrowDase TM product lines. By combining PerkinElmer's cell imaging and automation capabilities with UPM's animal-free 3D reagent options and expertise, this new collaboration will provide researchers with a comprehensive solution for high throughput screening (HTS) of 3D cell cultures in the early stages of drug development.
• By end user, the market is segmented into research labs & institutes, biopharmaceutical industry, hospitals and diagnostic centers, and others. Over the course of the forecast period, the biopharmaceutical industry segment is anticipated to hold the biggest market share in the worldwide 3D cell culture market. Companies are focusing on service releases to offer 3D cell culture processes to clients who are present in the biopharmaceutical business due to the substantial benefits of 3D cell cultures in this sector. For instance, on April 12, 2023, AnaBios, a San Diego, U.S.-based preclinical Clinical research Organization CRO acquired human primary and cell culture media group Cell Systems for an undisclosed price in a deal that gives an expanded portfolio of human tissue and cells.

Among all the segmentation, the application segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period, and this is attributed to increasing application of 3D cell culture in drug development.

Global 3D Cell Culture Market- Cross Sectional Analysis:

3D cell culture in North America is on the rise due to several factors, including advancements in technology, increased adoption by researchers, growing applications in various fields, and growth initiatives by market players. For instance, in May 2021, CELLINK, a part of BICO, a bioconvergence startup, acquired Visikol Corp., a U.S.-based contract research services company offering leading services in 3D cell culture, 3D tissue imaging, multiplex imaging, and digital pathology to pharma and biotech companies. CELLINK has acquired all outstanding shares in Visikol Corp. for a purchase price of US$ 7.5 million on a cash- and debt-free basis.

Global 3D Cell Culture Market: Key Developments

• In August 2021, Amerigo Scientific, a distribution company providing critical products and services to the biomedical and life science research companies, expanded its cell culture portfolio with the launch of 3D cell culture for scientific uses. This new 3D cell culture system can used in research areas such as drug discovery, medicine, evaluation of nanomaterials, and basic life science.
• In August 2020, Corning Incorporated, a U.S.-based multinational technology company, announced the launch of its 3D Clear Tissue Clearing Reagent, allowing for rapid and easy imaging of tissues in 3D cell culture without damaging the underlying cellular morphology. This solution, manufactured and sold by Visikol, is now commercially available through Corning and adds to the company’s 3D cell culture portfolio.
• In October 2020, Merck, a leading science and technology company, announced that it is collaborating with D1Med, a Shanghai, China-based biopharmaceutical start-up precision-medical company, to accelerate production of D1Med’s 3D cell culture technology applications used in the drug discovery process.
• In March 2022, CELLINK a part of BICO, a bioconvergence startup, launched BIO CELLX, a first of its kind biodispensing platform used to automate 3D cell culture. By providing cell biologists with pre-validated protocols, the BIO CELLX eliminates barriers for automating 3D cell-based assays that target cancer research and drug discovery.
• On June 14, 2023, Sartorius, an international pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment provider and Stanford University, a private research university in Stanford, California, U.S. extended their collaboration to develop a scalable platform for large-scale human iPSC production.

Global 3D Cell Culture Market: Key Trends

• Development of Organ-on-a-Chip and microfluidics: The development of organ-on-a-chip and microfluidic systems gained traction. These platforms provide more advanced and complex 3D cell culture environments, enabling researchers to mimic the interactions between different tissues and organs more accurately. For instance, in December, 2022, Emulate, Inc., the leading provider of next-generation in vitro models, announced the publication of a landmark study, “Performance assessment and economic analysis of a human Liver-Chip for predictive toxicology,” in Nature Communications Medicine demonstrating that the Emulate human Liver-Chip could improve patient safety and reduce small-molecule clinical trial failures due to liver toxicity by up to 87%. Furthermore, in March 2022,       Draper, a leading provider of organ-on-a-chip and bioprocessing systems, announced a roadmap for its organ-on-a-chip technology that addresses the growing focus on targeted and advanced therapeutics within drug development.
• Advancements in 3D bioprinting technology: 3D bioprinting technology continued to advance, allowing researchers to create intricate 3D structures using cell-laden bioinks. Bioprinting offered precise control over cell placement and architecture, making it valuable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. For instance, in January 2021, 3D Systems, a company that engineers, manufactures, and sells 3D technologies announced its decision to significantly expand its development efforts focused on regenerative medicine and bioprinting solutions.

Global 3D Cell Culture Market: Restraint

• High costs of implementing 3D cell culture technologies: 3D cell culture market is growing rapidly due to its advantages over 2D cell culture and the ban on animal testing in several countries. However, the high cost of implementing 3D cell culture technologies is a major challenge to the growth of the market. The cost of these technologies can vary depending on various factors, such as the complexity of the system, the scale of production, and the specific requirements of the application. The 3D cell culture laboratory includes various instruments and consumables used for the development of 3D cell models, such as CO2 incubators, bioreactors, microfluidic devices, and specialized imaging systems. The cost of these instruments can range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on their complexity and functionality. For example, a basic CO2 incubator can cost around USD 2,000, whereas bioreactors can range from USD 10,000 to more than USD 100,000. The cost of cell culture depends on the cell source and maintenance requirements. Cell lines obtained from commercial repositories can range from a few hundred to more than a thousand US dollars per vial, depending on their characteristics and usage restrictions. Primary cells can be more expensive due to complexities in isolation and characterization.
• Complexity and standardization of 3D cell culture: 3D cell culture techniques can be more complex than traditional 2D cell culture methods, requiring specialized equipment and expertise. The lack of standardized protocols and variability in results between laboratories posed challenges for reproducibility and comparison of data. Furthermore, the lack of consistency between wells and batches of cell culture are the other major barriers in the adoption of 3D cell culture techniques. Researchers face several problems while inserting scaffold/ECM into microplate wells. This inconsistency in the products reduces the reproducibility of results and, thus, reduces the efficiency of the research.

Global 3D Cell Culture Market - Key Players

The major players operating in the global 3D cell culture market include Becton, Dickinson and Company, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Lonza, Merck KGaA, 3D Biotek LLC, 3D Biomatrix, Inc., 3D Biomatrix, Inc., and REPROCELL Inc.

Definition: 3D cell culture is an artificially created environment. 3D cell culture is a culture environment that allows biological cells to interact with their surroundings in all three dimensions. Cells grown in 3D cell culture exhibit similar properties of cells found in living organisms, in terms of cellular characteristics and behavior. This technique allows the cells to grow in their natural environment in an in vivo condition.